Math and Science for Preschoolers

Major Mathematical Concepts Understanding numbers, ways of representing numbers, relationship among numbers and number systems Begin to count and recognize “how many objects Count objects at lunch time, in classroom at home (cups, plates, forks, papers, pencils, crayons, mats, dolls, toys, etc) -matching numbers with objects -number “0” may still be abstract and difficult to represent at this age

Begin to estimate Guess how many materials are needed for each activity

Understand shapes, patterns and functions Guess musical patterns and hand patterns Play with different shapes Recognize that objects in environment have shapes Things can change shape Recognize that there may be a lack of “conservation skills”

Begin to understand size

Classification Sort by group Children at this age maybe only to do this with on group at a time (size, color, shape, or other category)

Seriation Ordering is its beginnings Easier to compare “er” than “est”

Spatial Relationships Teach words (under, over, above, below, behind, next to, on, off, beside, in front of, outside inside and in the middle)

Temporal Relationships Hours, minutes, days, weeks,months, years, today, yesterday, tomorrow, morning, noon and night. Children begin to refer to these concepts in relation to events (birthdays, school activities, holidays etc.) Remember when teaching these that some concepts are still abstract.

More ideas Play “Simon says” with spatial relationships Matching game Play store, bank, shopping etc Classroom directory Graphing Board games such as “ Hi HO Cherry-o” Finger plays and songs

More ideas Outdoor adventure Cut numbers from magazines Measurement using objects Estimate using string Shapes recognition in the environment